Frank Robinson Quotes

#1. I haven't seen a player in this game, as long as I've been in it, that can't be pitched to ... Barry is an outstanding ballplayer. I respect him an awful lot. I also have confidence in my pitchers that they can pitch to Barry Bonds and get him out.

Frank Robinson

#2. At least when it's in French, I won't know what the heck they're saying.

Frank Robinson

#3. I know a lot of people on the field - players, coaches, managers - are glad that I'm gone.

Frank Robinson

#4. All in all, I wouldn't call it a bad outing. It was a short outing.

Frank Robinson

#5. It's nice to come into a town and be referred to as the manager of the Cleveland Indians instead of as the first black manager.

Frank Robinson

#6. No, I don't think my presence will cause an increase in black attendance at Cleveland.

Frank Robinson

#7. No. 1, these guys out here on this field. They keep my energy level up. They try hard, they don't complain about things - and I'd just like to be with them when things are good, and hopefully we can win a pennant together.

Frank Robinson

#8. If the guys on the bench were as good as the guys you have out there, they'd be out there in first place.

Frank Robinson

#9. People come out to see the players. When do you see a manager anyway? When he's out on the field arguing with the umpires, making a fool of himself and you know you can't win, and when he brings out the line-up card.

Frank Robinson

#10. I just didn't have anything to say, so I said nothing.

Frank Robinson

#11. I had no trouble communicating, the player's just didn't like what I had to say.

Frank Robinson

#12. The way we're going ... if I called up another pitcher, he'd just hang up the phone on me.

Frank Robinson

#13. I expect that [trying to do the best] of my players today and of my kids. My wife says I shouldn't expect that of my children, but I don't think that's asking too much.

Frank Robinson

#14. If he can hit, he can hit. I don't care if he came from Class Z league.

Frank Robinson

#15. I always tried to do the best. I knew I couldn't always be the best, but I tried to be.

Frank Robinson

#16. Pitchers did me a favor when they knocked me down. It made me more determined. I wouldn't let that pitcher get me out. They say you can't hit if you're on your back, but I didn't hit on my back. I got up.

Frank Robinson

#17. Managers don't have as much leverage as they used to have. We can't really be the boss.

Frank Robinson

#18. The fan is the one who suffers. He cheers a guy to a .350 season then watches that player sign with another team. When you destroy fan loyalties, you destroy everything.

Frank Robinson

#19. Listen, I was the first black manager in baseball and there was incredible pressure. I don't blame anyone else. I was too tough ... I lack patience. I probably got on guys a little too hard, with the wrong tone of voice.

Frank Robinson

#20. You have to have a short memory as a closer.

Frank Robinson

#21. Close don't count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and grenades.

Frank Robinson

#22. Be anything you want to be, but don't be dull.

Frank Robinson

#23. There's absolutely no way you can go barreling into second and dump a guy on a double play, like you should do, when you've been fraternizing with him before a game.

Frank Robinson

#24. But I'm not going to walk Barry Bonds, like some teams do, in the first inning with nobody on.

Frank Robinson

#25. I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks (Robinson) and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers.

Frank Robinson

#26. Whether you're trying to excel in athletics or in any other field, always practice. Look, listen, learn - and practice, practice, practice. There is no substitute for work, no shortcut to the top.

Frank Robinson